On 3 October 2026, Sarajevo became a meeting point for young people, sports enthusiasts, and participants from across Europe as it hosted an international orienteering race organised within the Erasmus+ ORIUNITE project.
Organised by the Association for Sport and Recreation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Orienteering Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event brought together participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, and Cyprus, creating an international atmosphere where sport became a way to connect people, cultures, and stories.
But this was not just a race.
It was an opportunity to experience Sarajevo from a different perspective.
Orienteering combines physical activity, navigation, map reading, quick decision-making, and problem-solving. Instead of simply following a marked route, participants had to find their way through the city using a map and their own sense of direction.
For many participants, it was also their first experience with orienteering.
The race offered a unique way to explore Sarajevo – moving through its streets, discovering familiar and less familiar corners, and experiencing the city while taking on a sporting challenge.
The combination of sport, exploration, and international exchange gave the event a special character. Participants were not only competing against the clock; they were also sharing the experience with people they had met from different European countries.
Event highlighted one of the key values of Erasmus+ projects
With participants arriving from six countries, the event highlighted one of the key values of Erasmus+ projects: bringing people together through shared experiences.
Conversations before and after the race, cheering for one another, exchanging experiences, and spending time together created an atmosphere that went far beyond the competition itself.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosting an international event such as this was also an opportunity to present Sarajevo as a city of sport, culture, diversity, and international cooperation.
Participants had the chance to experience the city not only as visitors, but as active participants – navigating its streets, interacting with local organisers and other participants, and discovering Sarajevo through movement and adventure.
While the race naturally brought a competitive spirit, the main goal of the event was much broader.
ORIUNITE used sport as a tool to promote physical activity, social connection, international cooperation, and intercultural exchange.
Every participant who crossed the finish line became part of the shared experience. Medals and certificates were prepared for all participants, while special prizes were awarded to those who achieved the top three results.
Yet, perhaps the most valuable takeaway was not found on the results sheet.
It was in the friendships made, the conversations shared, the new countries represented, and the memories created along the way.
#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #ERASMUSPLUS
